April is here gang. Baseball! Hay fever! Beer! Gotta love this time of year. And here’s something else to love: This month’s newsletter for all you Barbiebarians and wannabees all over the world. There are a number of you who have never been to TTITD. Well, you’re in luck. Before we get into the main body of this month’s newsletter we have a slide show of Barbie Death Camp and a few other shots around Black Rock City. These were done by not only people in our camp but general citizens of BRC. They are mostly safe for work, but there are a few that have some nudity, so watcher beware. They encompass the last 11 years in no particular order, so you can actually see the growth of our fair Village. Isn’t that exciting?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/barbiedeathcamp/interesting/show/
The first order of business is tickets. We have three friends and campmates who are looking for First- and Second-tier tickets. Should you happen to have an extra ticket, please let me know. Jewellee, Lucy, and Jake all need tickets. Thank you in advance if you can help our fellow Barbiebarians.
For any of you in the Pacific Northwest, Sharen will be driving down from Portland in her RV. She is looking for riders and, perhaps, one or two people to stay in her RV (sharing the cab-over bed). If you are coming from the land of rain and evergreens and could use a lift, let Sharen know. Share the cost of gas and the cost of the RV rental fee would be negotiable. On a related subject, from Sacramento Alice, who stayed with us last year, will also have RV space available. She is looking for female burners who might share the RV cost. She would like to meet you ahead of time.
I would like to thank Cap’n Joe for stepping up and volunteering to be a DMV Hottie. We could certainly use a few more. What that entails is to have you, as volunteers, work with the BMOrg DMV with the idea being Barbie’s Mobile Wh0reh0use getting approved for day and night time use on the playa. If anybody is interested you can go to the main Burning Man website and sign up.
One of our newbies Katie has taken on the challenge of putting together a party night on the art truck, complete with music and theme. It is still in the early planning stages and come summertime we should be able to give you a clearer picture on what will be happening. We’re probably looking at sometime earlier in the week for the party; likely on Tuesday night. Afterwards we will almost certainly head back to camp and feast on lumpia. There’s something we always need more of: lumpia. And absinthe. And champagne. And decadence.
We have had a good number of you come forward and volunteer your services and expertise to our annual Pancake Pork Out. We have the cups, plates, and paper towels taken care of (thank you Pauli), pancake mix, butter, and syrup (thank you Tamara, Ken, Amanda, and Jake), champagne (gracias Dr. Joe and Michelle), and several griddles. We still need a few things: four more gas-powered griddles (at least), bacon, Bloody Mary fixins, and coffee. If any of you wish to donate those, and anything else for that matter, to the breakfast, just let me know. Experience has shown that we will consume almost anything. The Pancake Pork Out will be held on Saturday morning so everyone can participate.
Early Arrival passes. We have requested 103 of them and as of right now 75 have been assigned. We are keeping five set aside for emergencies, so we have 23 to go out to those who are interested. There is a pecking order on who gets the passes: 1) Those arriving on Thursday to actually set up the logistical layout of the Village; 2) Those hauling out the infrastructure for the various camps who arrive on Saturday if not earlier; 3) Seniority. 4) Those who are driving the furthest. If you live in Reno-Carson City-Tahoe you will have a longer shot than those driving in from Florida, Texas, and New York. 5) Whether or not I like you; 6) Lottery. It will never get to number six. Should we get fewer than we have asked for Felony Arson, CJ, and myself will decide who gets the passes. If you would like an EA pass, and promise to work your tails off setting up the Village, putting together the art vehicles, constructing the shade area, building the shower (thank you Dan and Michelle), and laying the groundwork so the rest of you can have fun in the desert, let me know and I will put you on the list.
We have negotiated a deal with the Sands Regency in Reno for those of you traveling from afar who need a good night’s sleep before heading out to the playa. From Sunday night August 28 until Thursday September 1st, it’s only $25 a night for a room with up to four people. Saturday August 27 and from Friday September 2 through Sunday September 4 it’s $65 a night. The Sands has a free sauna-steam bath on the 17th floor, Jacuzzi, and ice machines on all floors. Their parking lot can also accommodate RVs and trailers and parking is free. If you want to take advantage of this offer (this is where membership has its privileges comes in) you will need to call (866) FUNSTAY [(866) 386-7829] and ask for BURN11. I personally negotiated this deal because, damn it, I care.
For those of you in Barbie Death Camp & Wine Bistro, Eden, Clan O’Crash, Black Rock City Body & Paint, and Loose Nutz, dues are due. They remain $60 until June 1st, then increase to $85 if paid prior to August 15th. All international travelers coming in from Europe, Asia, Australia, or Africa can simply pay $60 on the playa. No Early Arrival passes will be given to anyone delinquent on their dues.
We will have shirts and hats for sale again this year. And for the first time, you now have a choice in colors: gray or pink. The lettering and logo will remain burgundy. You can have either regular T or tank top, in either men’s or women’s style, and you can have if you’d like your name-nickname-playa name on the front as well. Shirts will be $20 and the 2011 BDC&WB hats will run $15. Yes, this is a fundraiser and all profits go to help offset the cost of the wine we give out. You may order your shirts and hats today but they don’t need to be paid for until they arrive. But prepaying for them is awfully nice as well.
On April 18th I will be running in the Boston Marathon. I know some of us plan on getting together marathon weekend, and I welcome everyone who can make it. My bib number is 26463 which puts me squarely in the “he’s slower than crap” category. I intend to start off slow, then taper off.
Finally, introduction of our new campmates. From Ohio, please welcome Captain BLW who will be camping with Reece and his gang. From Ithaca, New York please welcome Veronica and Steve. We have expanded our international presence, and from England we have four newbies. Please welcome Ninzy, Abid, and Esther along with Graidawg. I will be meeting up with the limeys in late June in London just to make sure they buy me some beers, uh, I mean, fit in to our camp. Yeah, that’s what I meant.
The Man burns in 155 days.
Doc Pyro, MOBDV